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Nov.) 9 1926.,

M. IPARIIDON WRAPPING, MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 25. 1924 M. PARIIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23. 1924 14, shets sheef Nov. 9 1926. ,606,040

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25, 1924 14 SheetS-Shfii 5 Nova 9 1926..

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE 1924 14 Sheets-Sham; 5

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Nov. 9 1926.

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25,

1924 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 Nov. 9 ,1926. 1,606,040

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M. PARIDON WRAPFING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23 1924 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 Nov. 9 1926. 1,606,040

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 25, 1924 14 Sheets-ShFef 10 Nov. 9 1926.

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1924 14 Sheets-ShQef l2 Nov. 9 1926.

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Dec. 23, 1924 14 Sheets-Sheet 15 Nov. 9 1926.

M. PARIDON WRAPPING MACHINE Filed D90. 23 1924 14 Sheets-Sheeh' 14 Patented Nov. 9, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,606,040 PATENT OFFICE.

MICHAEL PARDDON', 0F BABBERTOIF, OHIO, ASSIGNOR IO THE DIAMOND COK- IPAITY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WRAPPING MLG'HIHE.

Application filed December 23, 1924. Serial No. 757,612.

This invention relates'to package-Wm ping machines, and more especially to e type of machines for wrapping groups of rectangular articles, such, for example, as boxes of matches and the like. A. machine of the type mentioned is illustrated in Letters Patent of the United States No. 836,7 28, dated November 27, 1966, to which reference may be had.

The main features of my invention, generally stated, comprise mechanism whereby the articles to be packaged are arranged in succeeding uniform rows and the rows advanced in regular order; mechanism whereby one row of boxes is superposed upon another row and the two associated rows thereupon transferred to an element which 15 included in the wrapping and folding instrumentalities, and mechanism whereby aste is automatically applied to each individual wrapper preparatory to the folding operation.

The invention also comprises novel fea tures of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a box wrapping machine embodying a form of my in vention.

Fig. 2 is a plan of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the machine, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a similar section, on the line H of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a like section, on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. V

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section of the machine, on the line 66 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a partial longitudinal vertical section, enlarged, on the line 77 of Fig. 2, but showing the transfer plunger as advanced across the positioning plungers and two rows of boxes assembled upon the elevating plunger which is in its lowermost position, the positioning plungers being in their uppermost position and the platforms of the three plungers being in the same horizontal plane.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section oi the machine, as on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section of the machine, with the mechanisms in the relative position shown in Fig. 7 the section being in this plane indicated by the line 9-9 of 10 is a section similar to Fig. 7, but showing the transfer plunger as retracted, the elevating plunger being in its uppermost position, and the positioning plungers in their lowermost position.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section of the machine, on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 12 is a. partial horizontal section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 6, showing the wrapper hoppers; the wrapper supportingtable; the paste-applying devices, and adjacent portions of the package troughs and their associated end-folding devices.

Fig. 13 is a partial section through the re ceiving end of the package bed, showing the resilient gripper fingers at the sides of the folding throat of the bed.

Fig. 14 is a. vertical section through the package bed, as on the line 1414 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a planof the receiving end of one of the channeled beds into which are fed rows of boxes positioned on their long narrow sides and end to end, showing laterally projecting cam members for tilting the advancing boxes and placing them fiatwise within the respective channels of the bed.

Fig. 16 is a longitudinal section throu h one of the channels of the bed, showing t e box-carrying belt within the channel and the adjacent pulley for the belt.

Fig. 17 is a transverse vertical section through the said bed, as on the line 17-17 of Fig. 16, showing boxes within the channels and in contact with the lateral cam members.

Figs. 18 to 23, inclusive, illustrate the successive stages of wrapping a. group of boxes.

Referring to the drawings, 25 designates a suitable supporting frame, and 26 a, transverse drive shaft at one end thereof having its hearings in suitably located standards 27.

28 designates a shaft extending longitudinally of the machineand having its bearings in standards 29. This shaft 28 is driven by the shaft 26 through meshing bevel gears 30, 31 on the respective shafts.

32 designates horizontal beds supported in s aced parallel relation upon the frame. Eac bed is provided on its upper surface with longitudinally extending walls 33 spaced-apart to form a series of parallel channels adapted to receive and guide rows of boxes arranged end to end. In the resent instance the series comprises five c annels into the outer ends of which the boxes, resting on their long narrow sides, are delivered in an orderly manner, and are then arranged fiatwise therein and advanced to box assembling mechanism, as will be hereinafter described.

Hinged to outwardly projecting lugs 34 on the forward ends of the beds 32 is a feedstructure 35 which is flexibly connected by means of a link 36 with a crank 37 on the drive shaft 26, thus effecting the rapid oscillation of the trough-like structure through a vertical arc. This structure comprises a bottom 38, sides 39, an outer end wall 40, and longitudinally arranged partition walls 41, including a central division member 42 of substantial width. The Walls 41 are arranged in spaced parallel relation at the respective sides of the division member to afford two series of channels which extend from end to end of the structure and align with the respective channels of the bed 32. Each channel of the feed structure is a width slightly greater than the narrow dimension of a match box and a depth slightly greater than the width of the wide sides of the box. Hence boxes promiscuously dumped over the partition walls 41 are permitted to gravitate into the proximate channels with the Wide faces only of the boxes in vertical position; the rapid vertical vibration of the structure jarring the boxes and causing them to settle into the respective channels, and at the same time feeding them to the lower or open end of the structure, thence into the respective channels of the bed 32. Some of the'boxes will be seated on their long narrow sides within the channels of the feed structure while other boxes will rest on. their ends therein, and in order, therefore, that the boxes shall be delivered from the channels in orderly rows, end to end, suitable means is provided to position the upstanding boxes on their long narrow sides before their exit from the feed structure. This means, in a simple and efficient form, comprises a suitable abutment, such as a cross-bar 42', arranged above the delivery end of the channels of the feed structure. The upstanding boxes during their descent in the respective channels impinge against this bar and are thereby forcibly tilted and properly seated within the channels of the feed-structure preparatory to the entry of the boxes into the channels of the bed 32. In the bottom of each of the latter channels is the upper run of an endless belt 43 passing about pulleys 44 fixed on transverse shafts 45 having their bearings in the main frame, means being provided for intermittently moving the belt so that its upper run will travel from the receiving toward the opposite end of the bed. Hence the rows of boxes are delivered by the feed-structure upon the respective belts 43, and are thereby carried toward the rear of the machine. The width of each of the channels of the bed 32 is slightly greater than the width of a match box so that the advancing boxes can be tilted laterally and positioned flatwise upon the respective belts. To this end the walls 33 of the bed are provided adjacent the receiving end of the latter with lateral cam projections 46' of such angularity as to project into the paths of the advancing boxes and gradually deflect them from an edgewise to a flatwise position. (See Figs. 15, 16 and 17).

In order that the adjacent longitudinal rows of flatlying boxes on each bed may be moved into close lateral relation to each other before they reach the delivery end of the bed, the walls of the channels terminate short of such end and the outer walls are provided with converging arms 46 which are arranged to press laterally against the outer rows of progressing boxes. (See Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 15). In this way the longitudinal rows of boxes are moved inward toward the median line of the bed to the extent of the intervening spaces produced by the division walls. and hence succeeding parallel horizontal rows of close-lying boxes pass tothe delivery end of the bed and are imposed upon positioning plungers which will be hereinafter described.

In the present instance the means for intermittently actuating the belts 43 comprises a ratchet wheel 47 fast on one of the shafts 45, and a co-operative pawl 47 which is carried by an arm 48 loose on the shaft. The ,arm is connected by a link 49 with an upstanding arm 50 fast on a cross-shaft 51 having its bearings in the sides of the main frame. On this shaft 51 is a depending -arm 52 which extends adjacent to a drum cam 53 fast on the main shaft and bears a roll 54 which lies in the peripheral cam groove 55. This cam groove is of such contour that during one-half rotation of the cam 53 the arm 52 and its shaft 51 are quiescent, and during the remainder of the rotation the arm 52 is reciprocated in a manner to rock the shaft 51 and the arm 50, thereby actuating the pawl and ratchet and effecting the advancement of the upper runs of the belts. The up standing arm 50 also actuafes other elements of the machine, as will presently appear.

Located near the delivery ends of the belts 43 of each bed are two vertically movable juxtaposed plungers 56, 57 respectively, termed positioning plungers, which are so co-operatively arranged that the leading two horizontal rows of boxes are advanced to and upon the tops of the respective plungto their removal therefrom and their disposition, one row on the other, upon an adjacent vertically-reciprocative plunger 58, termed an elevating plunger, which is operative to present the assembled boxes to the wrapping instrumentalitie's.

T 1e positioning plungers 56, 57 comprise two slides arranged side by side and fitted in vertical guide wa s 59 on the main frame. Each slide 15 provi ed at its upper end with two platforms spaced apart correspondingly with the two series of channels in the bed 32, the platforms of the slides being designated 60, 61, respectively. The associated platforms at the respective sides of the machine are identical in construction and operation and, therefore, a description of those at one side of the machine will suflice. Each platform is of a width and length to receive a row of match boxes (B)-in the present instance five.from the adjacent channels, the upper surface of the outer platform 61 being plain while that of the inner platform is transversely grooved below the imposed boxes, as at 62, (Fig. 8) for a purpose hereinafter explained. The lower ends of the plungers 56, 57 are equipped with rolls 63 which register with the grooves of two face cams 64, 65, respectively, fast on the shaft 26, the contours of which grooves are such as to effect the requisite vertical movements of the said plungers. The timed relation of the cams 64, 65 is such that when the-plungers 56, 57 are at the limit of their descent'the tops of their respective platforms 60, 61 are on the same horizontal level and in alignment with the upper runs of the adjacent box bearing belts 43 so that the boxes can be delivered by the latter to the laterally adjacent platforms in succession, as indicated in Fig. 10. This done, the two plungers 56, 57 are elevated to locate their respective rows of boxes in the path of a horizontally reciprocative transfer plunger 66, which overlies the delivery end of the bed 32. The inner plunger 56 is raised somewhat higher than the outer plunger 57, in order to lift the row of boxes borne by the inner platform 60 slightly above the tops of the adjacent row of boxes borne by the outer platform 61, as indicated in Fig. 6, and the transfer plunger 66 is so constructed that it pushes the higher row toward and upon the lower row of boxes and then simultaneously pushes the two superposed rows upon the vertically reciprocative elevating plunger 58. The acting end of the transfer plunger 66 is provided on its under side with a series of longitudinal ribs 67 which correspond in number and spaced relation with, and are adapted to slide in the grooves 62 of the platform 60, so that when the two platforms 60, 61 are in their raised position, one above the other,

the end of the transfer plunger in its active movement impinges against the higher row of boxes supported on the grooved platform, and pushes such row to and upon the lower row that is supported by the adjacent outer platform, and then as the motion of the transfer plunger continues the ribs 67, sliding in the grooves 62, impinge against and advance the lower row of boxes concurrently.

frame. On this shaft is a depending arm 72 which extends adjacent to a drum cam 73 fast on the shaft 26, and bears a roll 74 which lies in the peripheral cam groove 75. This cam groove is of such contour that when the box supporting platforms of the positioning plungers are in raised position with their respective rows of boxes in the path of the transfer plunger, the arms 70, 7 2 are actuated to reciprocate such plunger across the platforms and thus position the two rows of boxes on the elevating plunger 58, as previously mentioned.

The elevating plunger comprises a slide fitted in a suitable guide structure 76 on the main frame. The top of the slide is formed with two similar platforms 77 spaced apart to receive the superposed rows of boxes at the respective sides of the machine. The lower end of the slide is provided with a laterally-disposed roll 78 which lies in the groove of a face cam 79 fast on the shaft 26, the contour of the groove being such that the elevating plunger 58 is reciprocated vertically in timed relation to the positioning plungers 56, 57.

Supported on the main frame is a table 80 having spaced apart rectangular openings 81 therein through which the respective platforms of the elevating plunger, with their superposed rows of boxes, ascend. This table is adapted to receive and support a sheet of wrapping paper (W) in the path of each of the two groups of boxes on the plat,- forms 77, and hence during the ascent of the boxes each wrapper is carried upward therewith. The associated wrapper and boxes are forced through a rectangular throat 82 in a horizontal bed 83 supported above the table by the main frame; the width and length of the throat being such as to permit the group of boxes and the wrapper to pass therethrough and coincidentally fold down the projecting side portions of the wrapper against the ends of the boxes. The dimensions of the wrapper are such that at this stage its side folds depend below the boxes, and that such folds as well as'the top of the Wrapper extend beyond the ends of the boxes, as indicated in Fig. 18.

Adjacent the respective sides of each throat 82 are upwardly extending resilient gripper fingers 84 havin notched or shouldered inner faces 85 which receive and support the partially wrapped package when it is forced through and above the throat, such grippers thus holding the top and sides of the wra per firmly in place on the boxes and permitting the elevating plunger to descend for a succeeding load of boxes. As seen more clearly in Figs. 13 and 14, each of the gripper fingers is loosely mounted on a transverse rod 86 and is provided with a tail 87 which is connected by means of a retracting spring 88 with a depending pin on the bed.

When the partially wrapped package has been placed between and embraced by the two sets of gripper fingers it is bodily moved longitudinally of the bed 83 by the action of a reciprocating cross-head 89, the wrapper in its travel being subjected to the successive operations of appropriate end and bottom folding instrumentalities.

As illustrated, the cross-head is carried by a series of parallel rods 90 slidably mounted in guide ways formed in spaced-apart transverse bars 91 on the main frame. These rods are connected by a yoke bar 92, which, in turn, is flexibly connected by means of a. link 93 with the upper end of the oscillating arm 50 previously described.

Preparatory to each upward stroke of the elevating plunger 58, with its spaced-apart groups of boxes, two wrappers are properly placed upon the table 80 by any suitable means and the inner longitudinal edge of each wrapper is supplied with paste, as will presently appeani In the present instance, a frame structure 94 providing two rectangular open hoppers 95 is located adjacent the table 80, the hoppers being in proximity to the respective openings 81 of the table. In each hopper is a vertically movable follower 96 upon which the wrappers (W) are stacked. The uppermost wrappers are simultaneously removed from the stacks and deposited upon the respective tables to overliethe openings 81, as will presently appear. The followers of the respective hoppers are united by an open hanger or yoke frame 97 having adjacent its respective ends internally-threaded apertures or nut portions 98 which respectively receive vertical screw shafts 99 that are jonrnaled in brackets 100 on the main frame. Each of these screw shafts is provided at its lower end with a bevel gear 101 in mesh with a similar gear 102 on a cross-shaft 103 having its hearings in the sides of the main frame, whereby during the partial rotation of the shaft 103, immediately after the removal of the uppermost sheets from the hop-' pers, the screw shafts are rotated to raise the followers a distance equal to the thickness of a wrap r. a

Fast on the shaft 103, near one end thereof, is a ratchet wheel 104 with which engages a awl 105 carried by an arm 106 loose on the s aft 103. The outer end of this arm is connected by means of a link 107 with an arm 108 fast on a rock-shaft 109 having its bearing in the main frame. The connection between the arm 108 and the link 107 comprises a pin 110 on the arm slidably fitted in a longitudinal slot 111 in the link, thus permitting lost motion between the link and the arm 108. The rock-shaft has secured thereto an arm 112 bearing a roll 113 that lies in the path of a cam surface 114 on the outer face of the cam 79. which surface is so shaped as to effect and permit the intermittent oscillatory motion of the rock-shaft 109 and its connections.

The co-operative relation of the parts just described is such that when the link 107 is in its down position, preparatory to the active stroke of the pawl-bearing arm, the upper end of the slot 111 rests upon the pin 110, and hence when the pin is raised it at once lifts the arm 107, and in consequence the pawl 105, by its engagement with the ratchet wheel, rotates the shaft 103 sufficiently to lift the followers 2. distance equal to the thickness of a wrapper. Thereupon the link is temporarily held in its raised position until the uppermost sheets have been removed from the respective stacks, at which juncture the link is released and permitted to drop to its previous position, preparatory to a succeeding lift of the pin within the slotted portion of the link, and so on until all the wrappers have been removed from the stacks within the respective hoppers.

The preferred means for alternately locking and releasing the up-lifted link 107 comprises an angular lever fulcrumed as at 115 on a bracket 116 on the main frame. The vertical arm 117 of the lever depends adjacent the outer side of the link and terminates in a hook portion 118 with which a suitably-disposed tooth 119 on the link automatically engages when the latter is raised; the lower ortion of the arm 117 being preferably guided by a pin and slot connection 120 with a suitably-disposed lug or bracket 121 on the frame. The upper horizontal arm 122 of the lever overhangs the adjacent hopper and is provided with a head 123 that rests on the uppermost wrapper of the stack. When such wrapper is removed the head sinks upon the next wrapper, and in consequence the lower hook portion of the lever is caused to swing outward from engagement with the tooth 119 of the link, thus permitting the latter to drop, whereupon the pawl-bearing arm 106 is actuated to effect, through the co-operatlve gearing and screw shaft connections, the elevation of the two followers and the consequent peturn of the lever to position its hook portion 1n the ath of the tooth of the link 107 when the atter is again raised, as previously described.

The means herein illustrated for removing the uppermost sheets from the stacks comprise two suitably-spaced elongated nozzles 124 depending from a pipe 125 supported by the reciprocating cross-head 89. This pipe has suitable connections with an airexhausting pump (not shown) by means of which is produced within the nozzles 21 partial vacuum effective to raise the uppermost sheets from the respective stacks when the nozzles are located above the latter. The cross-head, in its reciprocation, carries the pipe and its nozzles back and forth from the hoppers to the table 80, and such nozzles, perforce, pick up the succeeding uppermost wrappers and position them upon the said table and in the path of the ascending elevating plunger and the boxes borne thereby.

In order to apply a spot of paste to the under surface of each wrapper, at its inner longitudinal edge, while the wrapper is positioned on the table, the table is provided with a duct 126 which communicates with a port 127 formed in a suitably-supported block 128, and which duct leads to the upper surface of the table and forms therein a pit spaced from the inner side of the adjacent opening 81 (see Figs. 6, 7, 10 and 12). A paste-supply pipe 129 leads to the port, and a horizontallymovable piston 130 in the block is operative to force paste from the port into the duct and against the opposing surface of the wrapper imposed on the table. The piston, which projects beyond the front of the block, is normally retracted from the port by the action of a suitablydisposed spring 131. The transfer plunger 66 has thereon an upward projection 132 v which is so located that when the plunger 66 is advanced to transfer the boxes from the positioning plungers 56, 57 to the elevating plunger 58, such projection abuts against the outer end of the piston 130 and pushes the latter inward against the pressure of the spring, thus forcing paste through the duct and against the overlapping edge of the wrapper. When the transfer plunger is retracted the piston resumes its normal position. The paste spotted portion of the wrapper is bent downward at one side of the package when the wrapper is raised with the boxes into the grasp of the gripper fingers, as previously mentioned.

The cross-head 89 is provided with two series of inwardly-projecting rigid fingers 133 which, when the head is initially advanced, bear against the depending unpasted portions of the respective wrap ers and fold such portions up against the ottoms of the respective groups of boxes, as indicated at a in Fig. 19. These fingers correspond in number with and are arranged to bear against the lower row of boxes in each package. The upper surface of the bed 83 is appropriately grooved longituy, as at 134, to permit the passage of the fingers.

The cross-head is provided on its inner face with spaced-apart conical projections 135 which are arranged in pairs and are so located that when the first bottom folds of the wrappers are formed as just explained, a pair of said projections impinge against the opposing end portions of each wrapper and impart thereto the first end folds, b, (Fig. 19).

the cross-head continues its motion it bears against the two packages and forces them bodily along the rapective beds, thus folding up the second bottom folds of the respective wrappers and pressing the paste spotted edges of such folds against and in overlapp relation to the first bottom folds, as indicate at c in Fig. 20.

In the forward strokes of the cross-head against the succeeding packages presented thereto, the partially-wrapped packages are forced into and along parallel trou hs 136 which extend from the respective eds 83 and are suitable supported on the main frame; the width of each trough being substantially e ual to the length of a completed package. ach trough is provided with means to e ect the requisite folding of the projecting ends of each wrapper as a package enters the trough, which means, in the present instance, comprises an end beveled cam member 137 a horizontal slot 138 beneath the same, and two oppositely inclined slots 139, 140 arranged forwardly of the slot 138 and in spaced relation to each other in each side of a trough.

The cam member 137 is supported from the overlying bed so that the lower horizontal edge of the member is spaced from the bottom of the trough to provide the slot 138, and the inner beveled end of the member is spaced from the correspondingly inclined end of the adjacent trough wall to provide the first inclined slot 139. The second in clined slot 140 is cut in the wall of the trough, as shown.

In the travel of each partially folded package into a trough the leading projecting end portions of the wrapper impinge against the opposing outer beveled noses of the cams 137 and are thereby folded inward and against the respective ends of the package, thus imparting the second lateral end fold to each end of the wrapper, as indicated at d in Fig. 21. Thereupon the lower end flaps of the wrapper enter the horizontal slots 138 and pass into and through the inclined slots 139 which bend such flaps upwardly and fold them against the ends of the package, as indicated at e in Fig. 22. As the package progresses the projecting upper end flaps of the wrapper which overhang the upper edges of the trough, pass to and through the slots 140, and are thus bent downwardly and against the proximate lower flaps, as indicated at f in Fig. 23. This completes the folding operation, and the package, with its folded ends in close relation to the walls of the trough, continues its travel along the latter.

The under surfaces of the upper end flaps of the wrapper, as they pass to the respective fold slots, come in contact with the glue-applying rolls 141 of suitable glue-pots 14.2 supportedadjacent the respective sides of the trough, and hence such flaps are supplied with glue effective to bind together the overlapping end folds of the wrapper as the ackage progresses along the trough. (See igs. 2, 6, 10 and 12).

The completed packages when they reach the delivery ends of the respective troughs, pass to and upon a take-ofl' belt 143 arranged adjacent the front of the machine. (See Figs. 1 and 6).

It is to be understood that my invention is not limited to the particular construction and organization of mechanism herein disclosed, as the machine may be variously modified within the principle of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a wrapping machine, the combination with means for feeding rows of boxes, of box receiving means comprising two juxtaposed relatively movable elements, means for positioning said elements in a plane to receive parallel rows of boxes from the feeding means and then in a plane with one row of boxes higher than the other row, and means whereby the row of boxes on one element is superposed on the row of boxes on the other element.

2. In a wrapping machine, the combination with means for feeding rows of boxes, of box receiving means comprising two juxtaposed relatively movable elements. means for positioning said elements in a plane to receive parallel rows of boxes from the feeding means and then in a plane with one row of boxes higher than the other row, means whereby the row of boxes on one element is superposed on the row of boxes on the other element, a box supporting element, and

means for transferring thereto the superposed rows of boxes.

3. In a wrapping machine, the combination with means for feeding rows of boxes, of box receiving means comprising two juxtaposed relatively movable elements, means for positioning said elements in a plane to receive parallel rows of boxes from the feeding means and then in a plane with one row of boxes higher than the other row, means boxes and wrapper are delivered by the said I reciprocative element.

4. In a wrapping machine, the combination with means for feeding succeeding rows of boxes, of juxtaposed box-positioning plungers movable adjacent to and across the path of delivery of the boxes by the feeding means, means operable to move said plungers to a level at which rows of boxes are delivered upon the respective plungers and then to move said plungers to different higher levels, and means whereby the boxes on the higher plunger are shifted to and upon the boxes on the lower plunger.

5. In a wrapping machine, the combination with means for feeding succeeding rows of boxes, of juxtaposed box-positioning plungers movable adjacent to and across the path of delivery of the boxes by the feeding means, means operable to move said plungers to a levelv at which rows of boxes are delivered upon the respective plungers and then to move said plungers to different higher levels, an elevating plunger adjacent to the positioning plungers, means for actuating the elevating plunger in timed relation to the positioning plungers, and means whereby the boxes on the higher positioning plunger are shifted to and upon the boxes on the lower positioning plunger and whereby the thus superposed boxes are transferred to the elevating plunger.

6. In a wrapping machine, the combination with means for feeding succeeding rows of boxes, of juxtaposed box-positioning plungers movable adjacent to and across the path of delivery of the boxes by the feeding means, one of said plungers having in its upper face a series of spaced-apart transverse recesses, means operable to move said plungers to a level at which the rows of boxes are delivered upon the respective plun ers and then to move said plungers to different higher levels, an elevating plunger adjacent to the positioning plungers, means for actuating the elevating plunger in timed relation to the positioning plungers, the recessed plunger being above the other positioning plunger, a transfer plunger movable across the tops of the two raised positioning plungers and having spaced projections corresponding with and 

